PRESS RELEASE : Modernist Swansea / Abertawe Fodernaidd - A new book takes a look at Swansea’s post-war architecture
For more information, please contact:
Jack Hale
E: jack@modernist-society.org
Swansea’s mid-century architecture is being celebrated with a new book Modernist Swansea / Abertawe Fodernaidd, encouraging people to take a fresh look at some of the city’s most familiar buildings.
Modernist Swansea showcases some of the most iconic sites of the city, seeking to capture the spirit of everyday life in Swansea through its architecture.
In this volume Catrin James gives us an introduction to Swansea Modernism:
Catrin says: “Growing up in 1980s & 90s Swansea, I found beauty in the post war municipal and civic buildings of the town. Shop front fonts, graphic-coloured tiles, repetitious railings, clean lines, forgotten door handles, concrete flowerpots, mid-century clocks and colourful Formica tables. All observed at a young age on the bus into town as I went to cafes and milk bars with my mother, for egg and chips on a Saturday afternoon”.
The book takes a very personal journey through the market, cafes, chippys and other buildings of Swansea, with a collection of photographs and text that give an insight into the creation and significance of mid-century architecture to the city.
Catrin is an artist and archivist and founder of the Swansea chapter of The Modernist Society, which brings together enthusiasts of twentieth century architecture through tours, exhibitions and publishing.
Swansea Civic Centre, the Market, the Kardomah Café and the Kingsway all feature; and the book even includes a concrete bin from the Dyfatty area, which is now part of Swansea Museum’s post-war collection.
Modernist Swansea is being published by The Modernist Society, a creative project dedicated to celebrating and engaging with twentieth century architecture, through publishing, events, exhibitions and creative collaborations.
Jack Hale, Co-founder of the Modernist Society, says “Swansea has a wealth of mid-century detail that is sadly disappearing from many British towns. We hope this book helps people to appreciate the value of this period of Swansea’s architectural history.”
Modernist Swansea is published in Welsh and English and is available to pre-order from 20th of January, and will be launched at GS Artists, High Street, Swansea on Thursday, March 2nd.
Pre-order at the modernist online shop.
Notes to editors:
Images of the book and the buildings featured that can be requested from jack@modernist-society.org
About The Modernist Society:
Founded as The Manchester Modernist Society in 2009 by Jack Hale, Eddy Rhead and Maureen Ward, The Modernist Society is a creative project dedicated to celebrating and engaging with twentieth century architecture, through publishing, events, exhibitions and creative collaborations.
Publishing arm 'the modernist' was established in 2011, initially publishing as a quarterly printed magazine. the modernist is now developing into a small press, publishing limited editions about 20th century architecture and design. The editor of the modernist is Ashiya Eastwood.
The Modernist Society enjoys the support of its excellent Patrons: Jonathan Meades and Johnny Marr. The Modernist Society is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company.